Higher Administration- exam technique1 Higher Admin Exam technique - Integrated question

Higher Administration- exam technique2  Time management can make all the difference to your final mark.  Make sure you remember that the whole paper involves quite a bit of reading!

Higher Administration- exam technique3 Section 1 is based on some stimulus case-study type material – all questions are compulsory  usually 4 or 5 questions  marks ranging from 2 to 8 marks per question  20 marks for this section You should allocate minutes to Section 1  The time per question will depend on the command word and marks awarded

Higher Administration- exam technique4 Section 2 offers a choice of 2 questions from 5  usually divided into 4 parts  marks ranging from 2 to 8 marks per part. You should allocate 1 hour to Section 2  10 minutes to read and decide the best 2 questions for you to attempt  25 minutes per question  20 marks per question – total 40 marks

Higher Administration- exam technique5 A command word is not a polite request – it is a demand. Use them to focus on how you are expected to answer.

Higher Administration- exam technique6 Sometimes a question will combine more than one command word - but when this is the case it is usually the command word JUSTIFY which is linked.

Higher Administration- exam technique Section 2, Q2

Higher Administration- exam technique8 (a) Outline the importance of securing references prior to offers of employment. 2 marks Outline This type of question is testing your understanding of Administration knowledge This usually means give a reason – so you would start with something like  It is important because …………….. OR  References should be secured to ensure ………….

Higher Administration- exam technique9 Your answer should make reference to - Confirmation of information on Application Form Comparison of candidates Obtaining opinions of previous employers Checking against criminal convictions Ensuring suitability of potential employee

Higher Administration- exam technique10 (b) Describe 3 external methods of informing potential candidates of a job vacancy6 marks Describe This type of question is testing your knowledge. It is therefore important that your description is detailed enough and, in this case, INCLUDES the NAMING of the method. REMEMBER the command word Describe is always allocated 2 marks so take care that your description has 2 distinct parts (statements) which MUST MATCH.

Higher Administration- exam technique11 However TRY NOT to repeat the question 3 times!!!! Take care that you do not simply outline the methods – you must ensure that the method being described RELATES to advertising a job vacancy externally.  NO identification marks (eg newspapers) awarded. Used alone this will gain no marks.

Higher Administration- exam technique12 Possible answers could include! 1)(Newspaper) local and national newspapers – limited information as space is expensive 2)(advert on company/organisation website) wide audience can be reached – not as expensive as newspaper – applications can be made online – application forms can be downloaded easily 3)(Online Recruitment Agency) information about vacancy easily downloaded – S1 jobs carries wide range of jobs across Scotland

Higher Administration- exam technique13 (c) Discuss how productivity is affected by office layout.6marks Discuss This type of question is very testing – you need to show that you are discussing not only the features of office layout but also the effects on productivity. If there is no evidence of discussion the maximum marks available is 3 marks (ie half of the allocation).  REMEMBER when answering it is a good idea to use words or phrases like  also… however ….. whereas …. therefore …. this may cause….. this could result in …..

Higher Administration- exam technique14 Possible answers should include Open-plan layout – positives include Better supervision Better team working > better staff morale > better productivity Help at hand when required Equipment easy to access

Higher Administration- exam technique15 However, open plan layout negatives include Distractions – chat/noise/ concentration/noisy equipment Lack of privacy/status Can’t regulate for individual needs

Higher Administration- exam technique16 On the other hand Cellular layout – positives include More privacy - confidentiality Less interruptions – concentration Individual needs addressed Illnesses not passed on so easily

Higher Administration- exam technique17 However, cellular layout negatives include Resources can’t be shared Employees may feel isolated Remember Answers must relate to productivity No marks for opposite/flip points (repetition)

Higher Administration- exam technique18 (d) Suggest and justify 3 features of presentation software which a speaker would find useful. 6 marks Suggest Justify This question is testing your knowledge of this section of your study of Administration – ICT/software This usually means give a reason – so after suggesting a feature you would continue with  because it has …………….. Or  because it allows the speaker/audience to …….

Higher Administration- exam technique19 Possible answers should include Speaker notes Automatic transition Handouts Animation Imported objects – SS/graphics/sound/video Hyperlinks – websites/action buttons

Higher Administration- exam technique Section 2, Q2 Complete on the paper provided – 25 MINUTES.

Higher Administration- exam technique21 finish staple Hand in for correction OK?